Tail of Devotion

I have been expecting this day to come for awhile now. Getting old isn't for sissies, is it? I knew you didn't have much longer to go after your mommy called to tell me that you fell down the stairs on Saturday & were unconscious for much too long a time.

So when she called me this morning to ask about what to do to help you, I knew your time had come. It sounded like you were ready to go. I know going to the vet wasn't an easy trip for you, and that Daddy really wanted to be there, but Mommy did the very best thing for you, Handsome Boy. I hope you know that.

I have long missed your itty-bitty self, small enough to fit under the bed, or to pick up and cuddle. You were the most adorable puppy! I always enjoyed it when you'd come to Maine to visit, and how much Memere's cat, Boogie, hated you! Did you ever make friends with cats? I'm sure Boogie's hissing & smackdowns didn't help you love cats at all!

You were such a good boy with the kids when they arrived. They know that you don't hurt anymore. After all, almost 9 years is a good run for a goober machine like you. E, O, & A will miss you, but I know they love you in their own little ways. I will miss your goobers when I come to visit!

It was so good to see you last month. You were such a good boy, even though I'm not familiar with your routine. You didn't get mad at me when I touched your bed, like Mommy was sure that you'd do, and you didn't growl when I got hear your crate and didn't realize it, which Daddy was sure you'd do - because you do it to everyone else. It's been a while since I got attacked by goobers - I'm still cleaning them off my travel bags!

You are such a great boy. I wish you lived closer so we could visit more often. I love it how you are 100% dog - just doing everyday dog things, behaving as if you're the size of a wiener. You have no concept of how big you are. Even though you are a small dane, your size intimidates me sometimes (and I'm sure that's exactly what you intended!) because you come at me at full throddle and all your excitement! You charge with all those goobers drooling down your jowls - it is quite a sight to behold!

My favorite memory will always be the morning you tried to say hello to Memere because it was time to go home. Boogie was furious with you for getting on the bed next to his mom, and he put himself between the two of you and hissed and howled more loudly than he ever did before. The hilarious part was watching your full-grown self being backed into a corner of the bed, shaking & cowering because the 19 pound cat wasn't about to let you near Memere!

Other "great" memories come with Boogie. Oh how he hated you! Watching him chase you around the wall between the living room and kitchen was always a gut-busting experience, made all the most hysterical because you're so big and he was just a cat, though a big cat. The memories are even more grand because after Boogie died, you were still peeking around corners, looking and watching for him, when you came to visit for our first Christmas without him. He certainly scared a dog life out of you!

I know going to school was hard, but flunking obedience school is not something you should brag about. Yet I'm so proud of you for not retaliating when the little doggies try to pick on you and attack. You were such a good boy for not biting that little shitzu when it bit you legs!

I know you must be so glad to be living in Michigan again, instead of that snow less place in Florida. I'm sure your MamMaw must be so happy to have you back!

You take care of Emma with Mommy and Daddy. I know you don't mean to wipe her off her feet with that powerful tail of yours, but she doesn't seem to mind; she just gets up and runs to hug you. You are so fortunate to be loved by the little peanut.